Training and Market Access for Entrepreneurs

InnovatePGH’s Training and Market Access for Entrepreneurs (TMACE) Program drives economic growth in Southwestern Pennsylvania by connecting local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), woman, and veteran owned and/or rural small businesses with contracting opportunities in the robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, and AI industries. TMACE works directly with companies in these target industries and connects them with local vendors who can meet their specific business service needs.

This program is funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration and is part of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded to the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative.

How does TMACE connect Vendors and robotics, automation, Advanced manufacturing, and ai companies?

TMACE maintains an ever-growing vendor directory of local small businesses across a variety of industries that have the capacity to serve these target industries. These businesses undergo a Robotics Readiness Assessment that ensures they have the capacity to be successful in these contracting opportunities. If needed, businesses are given technical assistance before being entered into the TMACE supplier directory.

TMACE staff meets with interested robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, and AI companies to assess their current business service needs and facilitate connections with local vendors from the supplier directory. TMACE staff can plan events for companies to meet local vendors.

What technical assistance is Available through tmace?

We are proud to partner with Riverside Center for Innovation and the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center to offer direct assistance to businesses. These organizations help entrepreneurs start, grow, and improve their business by offering a wide range of assistance on topics such as writing a business plan, understanding business financials, identifying business funding sources, creating new products, entering new markets, creating procurement processes, etc. Technical assistance is available to both vendors and companies within the robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing and AI industries. Entrepreneurs do not need to have an established business to receive technical assistance.

What businesses are eligible?

TMACE was created to increase opportunities for BIPOC, woman, and veteran owned and/or rural small businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania. To participate, businesses must be located in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, or Westmoreland County. Small businesses located in Allegheny County must be at least 51% owned and operated by a member of at least one of the following historically excluded community: BIPOC communities, women, and veterans. Companies within the robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, and AI industries do not need to meet this criteria.

Upcoming events

Connect with the TMACE Team at an event happening near you!
November 16, 2023 Pittsburgh Robotics Discovery Day

If you are a small business/vendor looking to learn more about this program and connect with TMACE staff, please fill out the TMACE Robotics Readiness Assessment.

If you are a company in the robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, or AI industries looking to connect with TMACE business service providers, please complete the form below:

If you are an entrepreneurial support organization interested partnering with us on this project,
please reach out to Erin Jensen.